Instant conversion
CM to Inches Converter
1 centimeter = 0.39370079 inches. Multiply centimeters by 0.39370079.
Common cm to in conversions
| cm | in |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.393701 |
| 2 | 0.787402 |
| 5 | 1.9685 |
| 10 | 3.937 |
| 15 | 5.9055 |
| 20 | 7.874 |
| 25 | 9.8425 |
| 30 | 11.811 |
| 50 | 19.685 |
| 75 | 29.5276 |
| 100 | 39.3701 |
| 150 | 59.0551 |
How this conversion works
1 centimeter = 0.39370079 inches. Multiply centimeters by 0.39370079.
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What you are converting
Centimeter
A centimeter is a unit of length in the metric system. It equals one hundredth of a meter. It is about the width of an adult fingernail. Most countries use centimeters for everyday measurements, from clothing sizes to room dimensions.
Inch
An inch is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems. It is 1/12 of a foot. It is roughly the width of an adult thumb at the base. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom still rely on inches for many daily measurements. By international agreement, 1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters.
Why convert and when you would use this
This conversion matters whenever metric and imperial measurements meet. A carpenter following a European plan may need to cut a board listed at 60 cm while their tape measure reads in inches. An online shopper may see a laptop listed at 35.6 cm wide and want to know if it fits a 14-inch sleeve. Someone reviewing a medical record may find their height listed as 170 cm and want it in feet and inches.
Worked example
To convert centimeters to inches, multiply the number of centimeters by 0.39370079. Worked example: convert 30 cm to inches. Start with the measurement: 30 cm. Multiply by the conversion factor: 30 x 0.39370079 = 11.8110237. Round to two decimals: 11.81 inches. So 30 cm is about 11.81 inches, just under a foot.
Rounding and accuracy
Round to two decimal places for everyday tasks like height, clothing, or furniture sizing. Keep more decimals for precision work such as machining or cutting materials, where small errors compound across multiple pieces. The conversion itself is exact, because 1 inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm. Any error comes from rounding, not from the math. Note that 0.393701 is a shortened form of 0.39370079. Both give nearly identical results, but the longer factor stays more accurate when converting large numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert centimeters to inches?
Multiply the number of centimeters by 0.39370079 to get inches.
What is 1 centimeter in inches?
1 centimeter equals 0.39370079 inches.
How do you convert back from inches to centimeters?
Multiply inches by 2.54, or use the related inches to cm page.